Game Report

The Belleville Senators got back to work Wednesday night when they hosted the Springfield for the only time this season. These teams last met in October in Springfield when the Thunderbirds beat the Senators 7-4. Belleville was looking for some revenge and to split the season series with Springfield in the process.

The first period was played at a good pace. Belleville got off to a great start, registering shot after shot on Harri Sateri in the Springfield goal. Alex Formenton was all over the ice in his first professional period, generating some quality chances with his speed. Despite this, it was the Thunderbirds who opened the scoring. Curtis Valk scored a power play marker after an Eric Selleck penalty to make it 1-0. After 20, the Senators trailed by one.

The second period was mostly uneventful. The teams exchanged power play opportunities, but very few quality scoring chances. The Senators did out-shoot the Thunderbirds in the frame 12-9, but they did not make good on their chances. Through two periods, the Senators still trailed 1-0.

The third period brought more of the same in the first half of the frame, but the second half brought an exciting finish. The Senators came close to tying the game when Andrew Sturtz wristed one from the slot but was absolutely robbed by Sateri with the glove. That save proved to be huge as Tim Erixon scored on the power play just minutes later to extend the Springfield lead. Gabriel Gagne scored to cut the Springfield lead in half, but that was as close as Belleville got, they dropped this one 2-1.

Belleville out-shot the Thunderbirds in this one, but their inability to capitalize on their power play opportunities was the difference in this game, as has often been the case this season. Belleville get back to work Friday when they head out on the road to do battle with the Rochester Americans.

▲ Alex Formenton, Filip Gustavsson

▼

Statistics

SENATORS

THUNDERBIRDS

34

Shots

26

0 for 7

Power Play

2 for 5

12

Penalty Minutes

16

Scoring

FINAL

1

2

3

OT

SO

T

Senators (26-40-2-3)

0

0

1

–

–

1

Thunderbirds (30-34-5-2)

1

0

1

–

–

2

Scorers

Goalies

BEL: Gagne (19)

SPR: Valk (19), Erixon (2)

BEL: Gustavsson (L) 1-2-0-0

SPR: Sateri (W) 12-7-3-3

AHL Three Stars

Harri Sateri SPR

Filip Gustavsson BEL

Curtis Valk SPR

Video highlights

Post-game interview

Quotes courtesy of AHL Report

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An interesting connection between Formenton and Gustavsson. Two top prospects of the Senators playing together for the first time. Played against each other back in January for World Junior Gold. #BellevilleSens@TheAHLReport

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